U.S. stock-index futures down: U.S. stock-index futures are pointing to a lower open on Friday, as investors preferred to stay on the side-lines ahead of next week’s Federal Reserve meeting and non-farm payrolls data. According to Thomson Reuters, 68 percent of S&P 500 companies reporting results so far this quarter have topped earnings expectations, with 56 percent beating revenue estimates In economic news, the Reuters/Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index for July is scheduled for release at 09:55 A.M. ET, with analysts’ forecasting a rise to 84 from a preliminary reading of 83.9.

European markets decline: European markets are down in a choppy session of trade amid declines in auto stocks. On the economic front, French consumer confidence rebounded in July, adding to signs that the euro zone’s second-largest economy is on track to pull out of recession. The CAC 40 (INDEXEURO:PX1) added 0.3 percent to 3967.53, while the DAX (INDEXDB:DAX) slid 0.7 percent to 8241.77. The FTSE 100 (INDEXFTSE:UKX) fell 0.5 percent to 6557.93 points. The euro zone blue-chip ESTX 50 PR.EUR (INDEXSTOXX:SX5E) (Euro Stoxx 50) was largely unchanged in recent trading.

Asian stocks end mixed, Nikkei down more than 3%: The NIKKEI 225 (INDEXNIKKEI:NI225) tumbled more than 3 percent as the yen rose against the dollar, while the other major Asian markets struggled for direction following a bout of mixed corporate earnings. The SSE Composite Index (SHA:000001) (Shanghai Composite Index) fell for the third straight session, down 0.5 percent amid continued uncertainty about the growth outlook in China. The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) index hit a new two-month high in trade today, helped by a rally in banking stocks.

Stocks in News:

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMZN)

The online retail giant reported a surprise second quarter loss, as rising operating expenses more than offset a jump in revenues. Amazon.com said its loss in the April-June quarter was $7 million, or 2 cents a share. Sales jumped 22 percent to $15.7 billion. Analysts were expecting earnings of 5 cents a share on sales of $15.73 billion. Shares fell in pre-open trading.

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX)

Starbucks Corporation (NASDAQ:SBUX) reported better than expected quarterly results, helped by same-store sales growth across all its regions. Earnings came in at 55 cents a share on sales of $3.74 billion, topping estimates of 53 cents a share on revenue of $3.72 billion. In addition, Starbucks Corp. provided full-year guidance that topped most estimates. Shares were up in recent trading.

Zynga Inc (NASDAQ:ZNGA)

The social game maker posted a loss of a penny a share, excluding certain items, on sales of $188 million, edging past expectations for a loss of 4 cents a share on revenue of $183 million. The company provided current-quarter guidance that missed analysts’ forecasts. In addition, Zynga said it will not pursue a license for real money gambling in the U.S. Shares tumbled in pre-market trading.

Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI)

Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATVI) has agreed to buy-back nearly $6 billion worth of Vivendi SA (EPA:VIV)’s holding in the company, ending months of negotiations over the fate of the video games maker. Under a deal that was announced early Friday, Activision Blizzard will buy about 429 million of its shares for around $5.83 billion in cash, or $13.60 a share, a 10 percent discount to Activision’s Thursday closing price. The buy-back will reduce Vivendi’s stake in the gaming company to 12 percent from 61 percent.

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE:SWK)

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE:SWK) said it earned $187.1 million, or $1.18 per share, in the second quarter, compared to $154.8 million or 92 cents per share in the same period last year. Adjusted profit was $1.23 per share, 3 cents above the average analysts’ estimate. Sales rose 12 percent to $2.87 billion, also beating consensus. In addition, the company reiterated its full-year guidance for earnings of $4.46 to $4.71 per share and free cash-flow of around $1 billion.

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)

Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) has ended a promotion that gave away three free months of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) service when a customer bought the new Chromecast streaming-video stick. Google said the recently announced offer was discontinued due to overwhelming demand. Shares of Google Inc were largely unchanged in early trade.

Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL)
The oilfield services company has agreed to plead guilty to destroying evidence related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion in the Gulf of Mexico, the U.S. Department of Justice said late Thursday. As part of the plea agreement, Halliburton Company (NYSE:HAL) will pay a maximum statutory fine of $200,000, and donate $55 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Justice Department said.

Tyco International Ltd. (NYSE:TYC)

The industrial conglomerate earned 50 cents per share, excluding certain items, in its fiscal third-quarter, beating estimates by two cents. Revenue was flat at $2.68 billion, while operating margin improved to 7.1 percent from 4.4 percent. Shares closed Thursday at $35.15 and were inactive in pre-market trading.

Newmont Mining Corp (NYSE:NEM)

The gold mining company reported a second-quarter loss and cut its quarterly dividend, sending shares lower in pre-market trading. Excluding one-time items, the loss was $50 million, or 10 cents per share, trailing expectations for a profit of 42 cents per share. Revenue dipped 11 percent to $1.99 billion. Newmont also declared a quarterly dividend payout of 25 cents per share compared with 35 cents per share in the first quarter.